Limited Edition?

[Bowman9]

I just recently recieved my offical Marauder Jacket and noticed in the attached letter that mercury refers to the Marauder as a "Limted Edition" vehicle.
Does this mean they did or are going to pull the plug on the Marauder?
Was it worded this way on the letters for those of you that bought your cars when they first came out?

[RF Overlord]

Bowman:

Welcome to the only web forum you will ever need... :D

I don't recall what mine said, if I even got a letter, but wording like that is just marketing hype and has nothing to do with reality... ignore it. Doesn't mean they WON'T cancel the Marauder after the 2004 run, but it won't be because it's a "Limited Edition", it will be because they didn't sell as many as they wanted, or for some totally unrelated reason, like the General did with the Impala SS :( .

[DLoreanMARAUDER]

got the same letter with my jacket. I was talking to my dealer the other day and he told me that he recived a memo from Ford stating that the Marauder will not be availble after 2004 but will return in 2006 or 2007 Just like the Thunderbird which is not avalible in 2004/05 but will return for 2006/07 (first ive heard of this). I don't know if it's just a rumor but it sounds like a good idea to me! anybody else hear this.

[TAF]

Originally posted by DLoreanMARAUDER
got the same letter with my jacket. I was talking to my dealer the other day and he told me that he recived a memo from Ford stating that the Marauder will not be availble after 2004 but will return in 2006 or 2007 Just like the Thunderbird which is not avalible in 2004/05 but will return for 2006/07 (first ive heard of this). I don't know if it's just a rumor but it sounds like a good idea to me! anybody else hear this.

And we ALL know that the dealers know EXACTLY what THEY are talking about :lol:

Disclaimer #64 Not a flame of you "D"

[jgc61sr2002]

Most dealers know nothing about the Marauder, unless the view this site. IMHO. John

[Marauderman]

John--Your mostly right --except we have to take copies of these thread responses to prove to them the knowledge the should know--but we still end up having to take them by the hand and show them ---thats what I ended up doing one day--several salesmen didn't know the difference between the blue and black one they had (A vs B)...most don't know what a MM net site is...even after you tell them....I'm sorry--gotta stop..get so carried away about those stupid people.....

[RCSignals]

I think the Marauder was always meant to be a "limited edition"

[ilpimp]

I don't really know why the marauder isn't doing that great in sales, is there anything that bad about the car that would drive away people?? I mean the car isn't exactly fast off the start, and it takes a little cash to make it go fast, but why don't people want a sedan that can beat most ricers?

[tomd]

Originally posted by ilpimp
I don't really know why the marauder isn't doing that great in sales, is there anything that bad about the car that would drive away people?? I mean the car isn't exactly fast off the start, and it takes a little cash to make it go fast, but why don't people want a sedan that can beat most ricers?

One reason is because it's been a car for the old timers for a long time. I am sure those who see it on the road just think it's a Grand Marquis with big tires and chrome wheels.

Almost everytime am ask what am I driving I say a "Marauder" they say "what's that"

I then tell them it is a High Performance Police Interceptor! :lol:

They just don't know what they are missing. :banana2:

[UncleLar]

ilpimp,people can't buy one if they don't know it exists. From the top of Mercury all the way down to dealer level there's no communication and Mercury is steadfastly refusing to advertise the MM ,heck,they barely even acknowledge they manufacture it. I think they deserve the "Brown Thumb Award".

[Matt Johnson]

Because unless the MM really "speaks to you" on some level that cannot necessarily be articulated, (as it does to those of us who own it and who didn't consider another car as soon as we saw it), you can get better overall quality and performance for the same price.

[BlackHole]

Just had a Kid with a 95-96 Cobra with Saleen kit wanting to trade so some know some don't.

[RF Overlord]

Originally posted by UncleLar
heck,they barely even acknowledge they manufacture it. I think they deserve the "Brown Thumb Award".

Or they need to see a doctor for "rectal-cranial inversion"...

:lol: :help:

[jerrym3]

I'll take a crack at your question, but first let me say that I have always liked Mercs and, generally, like the Marauder. If I were in the market for a new sedan, I'd give it serious consideration. But, I don't like it enough right now to dump my old Towncar, even thouh I can get one for about 26-27K.

Mercury and performance haven't meant the same for a lot of years. Mercury and "senior citizen car" became interchangeable.

Merc also became the stepping stone from the Ford to the Lincoln, and became nothing more than a dressed up Ford. Even most of the visible parts on the Marauder are basic Crown Vic, which doesn't mean that they are bad, they are just not very "individual". (Yes, it's front wheel drive, but you can't confuse a Pontiac Bonneville with a Chevy Impala.)

Then the car is finally announced, and receives some luke warm performance reviews because .......(you fill in the blanks). So what do the dealers do? Jack up the price!! (Long time ago, one dealer on the Edmunds Marauder chatbox said that he would fire any salesman that sold the car at MSRP or lower.)

Mercury advertises a barn burning muslecar, but delivers a pretty damn quick (once you get going), excellant handling sedan. Unfortunately, a lot of drivers equate 0-60, or "the first 600 feet from dead stop" as the area where they can get most use out of the term "performance", and I happen to be among them.

There isn't a road around North Jersey where I would risk a high speed race unless it were 3 AM in the morning and I had a friend with a cell phone two miles ahead telling me that the road is all clear.

As for handling, well, with the amount of traffic I experience in my daily commute, I'd be running through the back of a bus or truck if I wanted to take an off ramp at high speed.

So, to make the car really run, you nice folks turn to chips, gears, SC, etc. But, how many of the "X" number of potential (or present) Marauder buyers want to get involved doing that? And why weren't some of the basic mods (performance chip/rear end gears) available from the factory?

But, I will say this.

As soon as the local dealers get one out of the back lot, clean it up, and place it on the showroom floor, it doesn't last that long.

They should have been selling them under MSRP from day 1.

[Matt Johnson]

That's my biggest issue with the value of the car - what other "performance" vehicle needs aftermarket modifications to deliver what you'd expect (at least at 0 to 60) from a performance vehicle?

[MAD-3R]

What other "performance" vehicle weighs 4200#? This is not a sprinter, like a Mustang, or 'Vette. This is a road eater. It was designed with the drive from Chicago to Los Angeles in mind. If there was EVER a car the said, "Lets have Breakfast in Atlanta, Lunch Memphis, and Dinner in Chicago", this is it.

I deleve Preacherman said it best, "Grande Tourie" (sp)

[jerrym3]

MAD 3R

I totally agree with you; but that's not what Mercury advertised.

That's the problem.

It should have been advertised as a Grand Touring car, and it should have been discounted (like every other Mercury) when it was announced, but it wasn't.

Mercury set the high expectation; not the customer.

[Matt Johnson]

Exactly...And I didn't buy a "sprinter" because I wanted a big stealthy safe road eating urban assault vehicle...

But if the car is going to be advertised as a "performance" vehicle, and insurance rated as a "performance" vehicle, then the factory should set up the car so that I don't have to spend more dollars on aftermarket parts to give it that little extra bit of "performance" that actually makes it into the very thing it's advertised and insured as...

That's all I'm talking about. Of course it's not a Mustang, but it should at least be able to hang a little closer to the 540i in the quarter mile if I have to pay close to the same insurance rates to drive it.

[ilpimp]

Ford really blew it with this car, i mean it's great and all, but their advertisement for the vehicle was less then minimal. I think that if Ford took more of an effort to sell this car, that it would have done a lot better. Ford has really disappointed me with this one. :mad:

[ChuckB]

MAD,

you hit the nail on the head. This is a road car, 4200lbs take the family for a drive in comfort and "blip" the throttle when the time is right, or the mood strikes.

FMC, i personally think really missed the marketing boat and you gotta wonder if any of the writers for the ads actually drove one. don't think so....

when i first drove mine i went whoa - this is not as advertised. But i tested and evaluated the car for exactly what it is and bought it. Big, powerful, unique and something i can dive 150 miles each day without a back ache. (My wifes vette does that in 50 miles).

And yeh all us older hotrodders will poor some $ into our cars to make them unique and more powerful - like we've done to all our other cars prior with any potential.

Personally i like this limited edition stigma and sorta hope to comes to fruition. I like driving it to work and not seeing another one. This website makes it even better by sharing the interest, common enthusiam and much needed information.

[jerrym3]

So, here's the 64,000 dollar question.

How many of you Marauder owners would have even looked at this car if were advertised as "the Grand Marquis Touring Edition"?????

[Bowman9]

How many of you Marauder owners would have even looked at this car if were advertised as "the Grand Marquis Touring Edition"?????

Ouch! That is a valid question.
I doubt very much that I would have bought it if it was advertised as "the Grand Marquis Touring Edition"
I was looking for a Muscle Car when I bought it, you know something bigger than a Mustang that has power and a place to throw your junk.

When the ford rep called me for the survey, I told him that the marketing on the car was awful and that no one knew what the car was when I brought it home.
I still have to tell people it has the Cobra motor in it.

[martyo]

Call it what you want, but after doing a couple of moderately long business drives over the past couple of days, I am even more in love with this car. I am hard to beat at the lights (OK, so I have a few mods) and still cruised all morning at 80 mph without breaking a sweat, got back from my trip and had no fatigue.

By the way, average gas mileage was 18.5 mpg. That works for me considering the same drive in the Durango R/T yields 11 mpg, at best.

[Bigdogjim]

See Marty when I drive up from Pa. to NY it's only a walk in the park :beer:
Big Dog

[RCSignals]

Originally posted by jerrym3
MAD 3R

I totally agree with you; but that's not what Mercury advertised.

That's the problem.

It should have been advertised as a Grand Touring car, and it should have been discounted (like every other Mercury) when it was announced, but it wasn't.

Mercury set the high expectation; not the customer.

It isn't what Mercury advertised?

From the advertising I've read, and expected performance Mercury gave, it seems to be exactly what they said it was. Problem is some people expected, or rather wanted, even more from it. Luckily with this car, it can give much more, quite easily, and depending just how much more one wants, at a reasonable dollar amount, compared with other cars and the aftermarket.

As for pricing or discounting, sure one can argue it could have been less money, but then one can also argue that every car from every manufacturer is priced too high. Given the MSRP of the rest of the "Panther" line (Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis) The Marauder MSRP is about right, considering the differences and what it includes.
MSRP of the Crown Victoria LX Sport, and the Grand Marquis LSE (now available only in Canada) isn't that much less than the Marauder, and considering that, the Marauder is a good deal in comparison. Factor in the current deals, the Marauder is almost a steal.

[JohnnyB]

I'm sure there was plenty of FOMOCO corporate red tape to deal with before they got the approval to build the MM. Considering CAFE and whatnot, I think Mercury did a good job. It's as if they knew owners were going to modify the car anyway....

[BlackHole]

Apparently the Lightnings are lacking since most 2nd Gen are modded a little so its like every other vehicle not enough so need some more First thing I.m doing is torque converter, Lighten Drive Shaft, and 3.73 gears then hopefully in 2 years P&P Heads
new cams reburn ECU and chip and S/C then hopefully 12 something:D ;) 1/4 times;)

[jerrym3]

RC Signals

You and I must have received different advertising.

Mine was a combination of DVDs and very large posters showing smoking burnouts, pictures of the car on the dragstrip, and no mention of Dennis or Kenny Brown or Trilogy or mods or????? No pictures of long distance cruising or "off ramp" excitement.

I also saw emails on Edmunds.com where Steve Babcock, the father of the Marauder, was supposed to join in and tell us about the future of the car. BS. Never happened.

Mercury wants the buyer to go ouy and buy parts from the after market folks? Why? Why would Mercury pass up a lucrative market and just hand it off to the independants? Doesn't make any sense.

Look, I know I'm p*****g a lot of you guys off, and I'm not trying to offend, but if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, it probably is a duck. And that ticks me off because I like Mercurys and the musclecar days and I wanted this car to be THAT type of car, not a Grand Touring Edition.

Look at the Lincoln Towncar Touring Edition roadtest on Edmunds of a few years back. Does an awful lot of what the MM does.

You bought a very nice, competent, quick automobile, but, out of the factory, the car didn't deliver as promised and that's what will kill it and be it's legacy.

If I'm wrong, why did the car not sell? High price? Less than advertised performance? The "Mercury" stigma? What? The car was written up frequently in the press, local newspapers, TV autoshows, so what the heck happened?

All that being said, if I decide that a new sedan is something I want, the Marauder is right up there. But, I will know that I'd be buying a serious Grand Touring car, not a musclecar.

In case you wonder, I have roadtested one.

[chapel1]

Cadillac has a T.V. Ad where a Black Cadillac goes thru a tunnel and with in a few minutes everything he went bye comes flying out of the tunnel.The AD has great music and really sells the performance with out actually stating it.
Everytime I see that Ad I think that could have been a Great Marauder A.D.
P.S.Willing to bet L/M had first shot at the AD. and turned it down?

[DLoreanMARAUDER]

id like to smack some of these dealers, but yea I was under the impression the car was supposed to be a limited edition or limited production car strait from the getgo. fell in love with the mussle car theme and was a bit discuraged it was a mercury to begin with. if it wasnt for the Marauder, I would have NEVER EVEN LOOKED at mercury, and i guess that goes for most 19 year olds. what does mercury have to offer young kids but hand me down family station wagons and such, but NOW THEY GOT THEMSELVES A MUSCLE CAR! but for how long???????????

[RCSignals]

Jerry, pictures of smoky burnouts aside, The Marauder performs as Mercury described. Re read the literature.

As for the Lincoln Town Car touring edition, there is a light years worth of difference between it and the Marauder. Town car, soft floaty ride, SOHC engine. That isn't the Marauder. The Town Car does not have the performance at all.
While the Marauder makes a great "touring" car, it really isn't that either.

What you seem to have expected is a factory drag car. Mercury never said it was.

No where did I say that Mercury wants people to buy aftermarket parts. What I did say is that with this car there is room for aftermarket performance parts, and they get results. Just as there is an aftermarket for the Impala SS of the late '90s, and in fact every Muscle car ever built.

Stock for stock the Impala SS is really only better with initial low end torque than the Marauder. The Marauder has superior handling, especially in other than straight line driving. Were you not satisfied with the Impala either?

As for sales, the topic has been discussed many times here. Mercury just didn't do a good enough job in getting word around, despite the DVD, posters, and a few write-ups in magazines.
Not enough real world, mainstream advertising to get the word out. Not every enthusiast and potential customer reads Hot Rod magazine, Rod and Custom, or Car and Driver.

You aren't offending anybody, at least not me. These are just discussions after all

[TripleTransAm]

Originally posted by RCSignals
Mercury just didn't do a good enough job in getting word around, despite the DVD, posters, and a few write-ups in magazines.


How does one get a hold of this DVD?

[RCSignals]

Originally posted by TripleTransAm
How does one get a hold of this DVD?

You could try Mercury. It's basically the special that was on SpeedVision TV.

From time to time they show up on eBay as well. Do a search under "Mercury Marauder" and "2003 Mercury Marauder"

[FordNut]

My expectations were fairly well met by the MM. I wanted a full-size rear wheel drive car with nice body lines and a relatively high performance engine. I got it. If the tranny had better shift points and the 4.10s were available as an option, it would be a great performer right off the showroom floor. Where did FOMOCO blow it? Partly with advertising, but for me they almost pushed me away with pricing. I expected something around 30 k based on early magazine articles, but then it came out at 35 k and my local dealers wanted 5 k above that! Fortunately I found a sane dealer out of state and was able to get the car I love at the right price (27.5 k).

[jrzygrl]

Oh Boo Hoo, Did anyone test drive it before they bought it?!
What are you all whining about?

[beemer]

LOL why all the complaining about aftermarket.......hot rodders have complained about stock performance since the original flathead ford V8. This is nothing new, and AFAIC, not a valid point.

For me, the car has plenty of giddy-up-go. All in a package that's tasteful and very stealthy. I could care less if no one else knows what it is. It's for me. Ergonomics and creature comfort abound in the thing....not to mention the grin when ya hit the pedal.

I was at a local car show tonite, and I ended up parking next to a group of about 5-6 friends who all had Corvettes. All of them had never seen/heard of a Marauder. I took one guy for a ride.
He liked it so much he's heading for a dealership tomorrow.
Say what you will about Vette's most Vette owners I've met have been real car guys.

As to the rest of the folk who were at the show, most were very surprised by the car, you see 'em walk by and spot what's under the hood, and then they look all over the car. Did I enjoy my moment in the sun?.....sure!

What I fail to comprehend to this day is the anti-Ford bias most magazines have. The mid-90's Impala SS was a media darling, and a nice car. The Marauder gives up nothing to the SS.......why the media bashing? I can't explain it. Both cars box stock run head-to-head. The mags never faulted the Imp SS performance...why fault that of the Marauder?

Seems to me today unrealistic expectations are the norm, and sensible thinking has flown the coop.

Best,

Paul